Mangaluru, August 15, 2023: (Press Release) - Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, celebrated India's 77th Independence Day with a range of initiatives nationwide. 

Shri Debadatta Chand, Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Baroda said, "As we celebrate India’s 77th Independence Day, Bank of Baroda reaffirms its commitment to the nation. The Bank has been a steadfast partner, supporting the country’s economic, social and Digital India agenda. We take immense pride in India’s transformative journey and look forward to continuing to contribute to the nation’s progress.”

On Independence Day, the Bank organised a flag hoisting ceremony at its Corporate Office in Mumbai, and its offices across the country, which saw the enthusiastic and widespread participation by employees. Further, the Bank and its employees actively endorsed the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign under which citizens are encouraged to hoist the Tiranga at their homes and offices to invoke the feeling of patriotism. 

In the run-up to Independence Day, the Bank marked 14th August as "Partition Horrors Remembrance Day”, by setting up exhibitions at 70 key locations pan-India. The exhibition narrates the story of India’s Partition and acknowledges the suffering and pain experienced by citizens during the partition. The Bank invited prominent local dignitaries to inaugurate the exhibitions. 

As a part of the Meri Maati Mera Desh initiative, Bank of Baroda employees wholeheartedly took the PanchPran pledge along with handfuls of soil – demonstrating their loyalty, dedication and respect to the nation. 

Bank of Baroda, Mangaluru Zone has a total of 383 branches across 22 districts from Madikeri to Gulbarga and is headed by Smt. Ghayathri R., General Manager and Zonal Head. The 77th Independence Day was celebrated at the Bank’s’ Zonal Office premises at Vijaya Towers, Mangaluru. Shri Ramesh Kanade, DGM and Deputy Zonal Head, Mangaluru Zone hoisted the National Flag. Shri Ashwini Kumar, DGM-Network and Shri M.V.S. Prasad, Regional Manager, Mangaluru City, Officials and Staff members of Mangaluru participated in the celebrations. The Panch Pran Pledge was executed as per the directions of Govt of India as a part of Meri Mati Mera Desh Campaign and Saplings were also distributed.

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Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.

According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.

The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.

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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.

"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.

He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.

Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.

LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.

According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.

"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.

He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.

AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.

"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.

Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.

"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.

Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.

"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.

He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.

Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.

"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.

On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.

"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.

Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.

He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.

Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.

"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.

Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.

"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.

CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.

"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.

Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.

"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.

Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.

"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.